The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-07-15
The Presidents letter TO the Mayor OF
ST. Louis.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,

deIed by number OF 06T representa-
tive men, TO visit that city during the
national encampment OF the Grand
Army of the Republic, had been con-
templatiDg fOr some time the acceptance
of the invitation from that organization
10 the same effect, and had considered
the pleasure which it would afford me il
il should be pOssIbls TO meet not only
members of the Grand Army. bu. the
people of 81. Louis ard other cities in
the West, which the occasion would
give me an opportunity 70 visit. The
eXactions OF my public duties | felt TO
be so uncertain, however, that when
first confronted by the delegation of
which you were the head. l expected TO
do no more at that time than to promise
the consideration of the double invita-
tion rendered me, and express the pleas
ure il would give me, to accept the same
thereafter if possible.
But the cOrdiality and sincerity OF
your presentation, reinforced by the
heartiness of the people who surrounded
you, so Impressed me that l could not
resist the feeling which prompted me
to assure you on the spot that l would
be with you and the Grand Army of the
Republic a. the time designated If Meth
ing happened in the meS ntime TO absO-
lutely prevent my leaving Washington.
Immediately upon the public an
nouncement of this conclusion express
siOns emanating from certain important
members of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, ard increasing ID volume and
virulence, constrained me to review my
acceptance or these invitations. The
expressions referred to go the extent of
declaring that would be an unwelcome
guest at ;he time and place of the na-
e, .sn =
based, as well as l can Judge, upon GER
tain Official acts of mine involving i'm
portant public Interests done under the
restraints and obligations of my oath
of office, which do not appear TO accord
with the wishes of some members of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
refuse to uAIieve that this organiza-
tion, founded upon patriotic ideas, COM
posed very largely of men entitled to
lasting honor and consideration, and
whose crowning glory il should be that
I they are American citizens as well as
veteran soldiers, deems it part or its
/ mission 10 COMPASS any object or puI-
pose by attempting to intimidste the
I Executive or coerce thoss charged with
] making and executing the laws. And
| vet the expressions TO which | have re-
/ ferred indicate such a prevalence of
unfriendly feeling and such a menace to
\ an occasion which should be harmsni-
/ Gus, peaceful and cordial that they can
I not he ignored.
/ | beg you To understand that | am not
, conscious of any act of mine which
1 should make me fear to meet the Grand
/ Army of the Republic or any other as
. Semb!age of my fellow citiZers. The
/ account of nv official Stewardship is al
I ways ready for presentation to nv
| cOuntrymen. | should not be frank it |
! failed to confess while disclaining all
/ resentment, that | have been hurt by
/ the unworthy and wantOn attacks upon
me growing out of this matter, and the
reckless manner in which nv actions
, atd motives have been misrepreserted
/ both publicly and privately, foI which,
however, the Grand Army of the Re
I public, as body, is by no means respoD-
/ slble.
/ The threat OF personal violence and
harm in case 1 undertake the trip in
( question, which scores of misguided.
unbalanced men under the stimulation
. of excited feeling have made, ale noS
even considered. Rather than abandon
my visit to the West AMI disappoint
your citizens. | might, If I alone were
concerned submit to the insult to
! which it is quite openly asserted 1 would
/ be helplessly subjected If present at the
I encampment but | should bear with
I me there the peopl's higest office, the
I dignity OF which l must protect, and
believe that neither the Grand Army Of
the Republic as an organization nor any
7 thing like majority of its members
would ever encourage aby scandalOus
( attack upon it. If, however among the
I membership of this body there are some.
.arrsa 41r-z 70 hs h.a 4
! mined 10 denounce me and nv official
acts az the national encampment. be-
lieve they should be permitted to do so
unrestrained by my presence as guest
/ of their organization or as a guest of
! the hospitable city in which their meet
I iEg is held. \ number OF Grand Army
. Posts have siglified their intention. |
am informed, TO remain away from the
. encampment in case | visit the CITY at
that time. Without considering the
merit of such an excuse I feel that
ought not to be the cause of such non
attendance. The time and place of the
encampment were fixed long before my
| invitations were received. Those desir-
Gus to participate in its proceedings
should be first regarded, and nothing
should be permitted 10 interfere with
their intentions.
Another consideration of more i'm,
I pOrtance than all others remains TO be
noticed. The fact was referred to by
you when you verbally presented the in =
I v:tatioD of the citizens of St. Louis,
that the coming encdmpment OF the
Grand Army of the Republic would be
the first held in Southern State.
suppose this fact was mentioned as a
pleasing incident of the fraternal feel
ing fast gaining ground throughout the
entire land and hailed by every patriotic
citizen as an earnest that the Union has
really, and in fact, been saved in seuti-
ment and spirit. with all the benefits it
vOuchssfes TO a united people.
cannot rid myself of the belief that
the least discoTd on this propiticus occa-
sion might retard the progress of the
sentiment of common brotherhood
which the Grand Army of the Republic
has so good an opportunity to Increase
and foster. | certainly Ought not to be
the cause of such discord in any event
or upon any pretext. 1t seems to me
that you and the citizens of ST. Louis
are entitled to the unreserved statement
of the conditions which have constrain-
ed me to forego my contemplated visit
and to withdraw my acceptance OF your
! invitation.
My presense in your city at the time
you have indicated can be of but little
moment compared with the importance
of cordial and harmonious entert ain
ment of your other guests. l assure you
that | abandon my plan without the
least personal feeling OF regret. con-
strained thereto by a sense of duty, ac-
tuated by a desire to save any embar-